CANC North Thailand - Road Riding the Golden Triangle

This Ride has been Cancelled

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

Our Ride will be both exciting and rewarding. We have planned a beautiful ride with stops on our road trip to enjoy the countryside and interesting sites. You will be surprised how calm, friendly, and hospitable the culture is. We’ll have time off to enjoy the country and see their history, and traditions. Stand by for a ride you’ll remember!

Thailand's Golden Triangle is known for its warm hospitality and wonderful cuisine. It is also known by locals as the secret cycling capital of Asia. Scenic and awe-inspiring rides along the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar combine challenging climbs and spectacular winding roads to provide an adventurous road rider’s dream.

We will cover 535 miles across 13 days and 12 nights. Our tour starts with happy hour at our first hotel in Bangkok, then a flight the next morning to Chiang Mai, where we’ll get rental bikes or assemble our own bikes. We’ll ride to Chiang Rai along the Golden Triangle, then fly back from Chiang Rai to Bangkok. The tour ends  after breakfast the final day. We’ll ride on paved roads in good condition.

LODGING: Overnights will range from 5 Star luxury to Boutique Guesthouse type properties. Accommodation is included from arrival on 13th January 2019 through until departure on 25th January 2019.

RIDE RATING AND TERRAIN: The tour is rated a 2C, average distance of 54 miles, and elevation gain of 2500 feet per day. The following days exceed the C rating: Day 4 at 67 miles; Day 7 at 74 miles; and Day 10 at 71 miles. The average elevation gain is 2500 feet per day. Exceptions to this are Day 3 2798 feet, Day 4 2893 feet, Day 7 4150 feet, and Day 9 2798. Fitness will be a huge asset on those longer days and on the undulating hills. A brochure with a daily itinerary listing the daily activity, mileage and hotel will be made available as well as GPS tracks for each ride.

ITINERARY: (Full detailed itinerary available upon request from leader and will be posted to ride leader docs, visible after you sign up for the tour.)

Day 1 - Bangkok, Meet at 5:30 PM for happy hour and welcome dinner at Novotel Airport Hotel  

Day 2 - Chiang Mai Warm Up Ride The day starts with a short flight from Bangkok, then obtaining rental bikes or assembling personal bikes and an opportunity for an afternoon shakedown ride. 24.8 miles

Day 3 - Chiang Mai – Chiang Dao 59.6 miles +2798 ft

Day 4 - Chiang Dao – Thaton 67 miles +2893 ft

Day 5- Thaton – Chiang Saen 60 miles + 2342 ft

Day 6 - Chiang Saen – Chiang Khong 47 miles +1991 ft

Day 7 - Chiang Khong – Rico Resort 74 miles + 4150 ft

Day 8 – Optional loop ride 54 miles +1925 ft

Day 9 – Optional loop 47 miles +2798 ft

Day 10 - Rico – Chiang Rai 71 miles +2296 ft

Day 11 - Chiang Rai Loop 31.6 miles +1896 ft

Day 12 - Chiang Rai Airport – Fly to Bangkok

Day 13 : Departure after breakfast.

WEATHER: Northern Thailand has a tropical climate with high humidity. We will travel in the coolest season with average temperatures between 68 F and 86 F. Nighttime temperatures can be quite cool. Bring a light rain jacket and a fleece for the cooler evenings. It is suggested to bring a light blanket or small sleeping bag for extra warmth if the night temperatures drop considerably.

LOGISTICS;  Best airport is Suvarnabhumi International Airport (Airport Code: BKK). The Novotel hotel is situated right next to the airport terminal, accessible by five minute walk in an underground walkway or a ride in the 24 hour complimentary airport shuttle van. If you plan to arrive early, SpiceRoads can assist with pre-tour hotel bookings by contacting SpiceRoads at kie@spiceroads.com.

BICYCLES;  Spice Roads Cycle Tours offers TREK Domane or Emonda Road Bikes for $250. You will deal directly with SpiceRoads for your bike rental by emailing Spice Roads at kie@spiceroads.com. For riders bringing their own bicycles, the bikes will be transferred in our group flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai still packed in travel cases, and riders will assemble their bikes in Chiang Mai. Your bike boxes will be transported from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai to allow you to repack your bicycle for your return flight to Bangkok. If you bring your own bike, please make sure it is a road bike and that it is in good mechanical order with all parts necessary to maintain it throughout the ride. Also, be aware there will be extra cost for transporting bike boxes on the two airplane flights (see below).

COSTS AND ADMINISTRATION: Included in the costs of $2950 are 12 nights’ accommodation in double/ twin shared rooms, air ticket from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, air ticket from Chiang Rai to Bangkok, (luggage 20 kg allowance) 12 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 10 dinners, drinks and snacks while riding, social happy hour drinks (beer, wine, cocktails, and soft drinks), Spice Roads jersey, laundry bag, and cue sheet book. The tour price does not include road bike rental, airplane bike box transfers, other beverages during meals, travel insurance and visa fees. Any excess baggage fees (more than one piece weighing 20 kg) will be paid for individually for those overweight. Those with a packed bike box (in addition to suitcase) will be charged for luggage over 20 kg and that cost is estimated at US $2-3 US/kg overage. A typical suitcase might weigh about 15 kg and typical packed bicycle might weigh 20 kg.

All nationalities require a passport for entry into Thailand. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry. If staying less than 30 days then a visa in advance is not required by European, North American, Australian and many other nationalities. You will need to show proof of an onward flight out of Thailand to be eligible for the visa on arrival. This is strictly enforced.

 We recommend that you visit a travel medical doctor and ask about the following vaccinations: typhoid, polio, tetanus and hepatitis A. A certificate for Yellow Fever is required when arriving from an infected area within six days.

SINGLES AND SOLOS: It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. The Ride Leader will assist singles by sharing names of other singles who are interested in the ride. After receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until June 15, 2018 to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the $100 BAC fee and payment processing fee) or pay the $695 solo supplement and stay on the ride. If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary. Solo supplements should be sent to the BAC office via check and are due June 15, 2018. Checks should be made out to “BAC”, with a notation of the tour name included on the check and sent to PO Box 23998 San Diego, CA 92193.

CANCELLATION POLICY: The BAC ride registration fee and payment processing fee is not refundable unless the entire tour is canceled. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations. If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the canceling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the canceling roommate may also be liable for the single supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour. BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance. In addition to the BAC cancellation policy, if a canceling participant is not replaced, the following Spice Roads cancellation policy will apply: Number of Days Prior to Start of Tour/Cancellation fee per person--90+days/Administrative Expense Incurred; 60-89 days/ $780; 45-59 days/$1300; 15-44 days/$1820; 7-14 days/$2600.

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY: Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

SIGN UP: To submit a request to join this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the Release of Liability and pay the non-refundable BAC fee ($100) and tour deposit of $1000 by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name will be added to the Participant List. The final payment of $1950 is due 15 JUN 2018. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description.